UNREAL USE OF PAST TENSES

I WISH…/ IF ONLY…! (stronger feelings)

STRUCTURE MEANING EXAMPLE
• I wish my hair wasn’t
I WISH + past simple / Wishes referred to the so curly.
IF ONLY could present or future. • I wish you could stay
with us.
A desired change with • I wish it would rain.
I WISH
+ would emphasis on a sense of • I wish you wouldn’t
IF ONLY longing or irritation. smoke so much.
• I wish I hadn’t got
I WISH + past perfect / Wishes referred to the so angry.
IF ONLY could have past; regret • I wish I could have
studied more.

IT’S TIME… / IT’S ABOUT TIME… / IT’S HIGH TIME…

STRUCTURE MEANING EXAMPLE
• It’s time you went to
It means that the action
IT’S TIME + subj. + bed.
should have been done
past simple • It’s about time you
before.
started working.
IT’S TIME + to When we don’t want to
• It’s time to go
infinitive specify the subject.

I’D RATHER… (WOULD RATHER)

STRUCTURE MEANING EXAMPLE
• I’d rather you didn’t
We express what we want
I’D RATHER + subj.+ stay out too late.
someone to do in the
past simple • I’d rather the film
present or future.
started earlier.
• I’d rather you hadn’t
We express what we
I’D RATHER + subj.+ said that.
wanted to happen in the
past perfect • I’d rather she had
past.
bought it.
 COMPARE:

WOULD RATHER + infinitive HAD BETTER + infinitive

We talk about people’s preferences in We use it to express what should be
the present or future. done, or give advice.
• I’d rather go to the beach than to the
• I’d better be off now.
mountains.
• You’d better leave soon.
• I’d rather take the bus

EXERCISES

Put the verbs in brackets into an appropriate verb form.

1. I’d rather you ………………………………… (not/watch) television while I’m reading.
2. It’s high time you ……………………………… (start) working seriously.
3. I wish I ………………………………….. (spend) more time swimming last summer.
4. I wish you ……………………………………. (not/keep) coming late to class.
5. I wish I …………………………………………… (go) to your party after all.
6. I’d rather you ……………………………………. (sit) next to Susan, please.
7. You are lucky going to Italy. I wish I ……………………………….(go) with you.

Correct the mistakes in each sentence.

1. I wish I bought that old house.
2. I’d rather you don’t eat all the bread.
3. It’s time I go.
4. I wish I own a motorbike.
5. I wish we are not leaving in the morning.
6. Sue would rather reading than watching television.
7. I wish I didn’t listen to you before.

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given.
1. Do you ever regret not going to university? (WISH)
Do you ever …………………………………………………………………………………………to university?
2. I should really be going home now. (TIME)
It’s ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..home now.
3. I’d love to be able to go with you to the opera. (WISH)
I ………………………………………………………………………………………. go with you to the opera.
4. I’d rather you didn’t stay long at the party. (BETTER)
It ………………………………………………………………………………………………..stay long at the party.
5. I’ve had enough of your constant complaining! (WISH)
I ……………………………………………………………………………………… complaining all the time.
6. I’d love to be sitting on a beach in Turkey right now. (WISH)
I ……………………………………………………………………………….. on a beach in Turkey right now.